SNOBBERY WITH VIOLENCE (Marion Chesney)

This is a cute series, written by Marion Chesney, a.k.a. M.C. Beaton, author of the Hamish MacBeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries.  Beautiful, intelligent  Lady Rose has failed to snag a husband during her "season" and her parents are extremely vexed by her tendency to speak out for causes, like women's suffrage, which they consider unladylike.  Lady Rose is in love and expecting to become engaged as the novel opens, but her father, hearing unsavory rumors about the man in Rose's life, hires impoverished gentleman Harry Cathcart to investigate and he discovers that seduction, ratrher than a wedding, are on the agenda.  Lady Rose's reputation (but not her suitor's) is ruined when she reveals his intent and her parents decide to send her to a country estate party where she is likely to meet some eligible men.  When people start dying under mysterious circumstances Harry Cathcart, who by now is developing a successful private investigating business, is called in, since the police are lower class and the estate's owner need to preserve his reputation.  Of course Rose, being the smart, curious young woman that she is, joins in the investigation.  Is this the beginning of a beautiful partnership?  I guess we'll see over the next 3 books in this series.  Pick it up if' you're looking for a pleasant, entertaining novel for a relaxing weekend.